Painting

I've been really busy painting, getting ready for a holiday event this weekend. My paint brushes are working overtime.

Be back soon.

Be content with what you have,

rejoice in the way things are.

When you realize there is nothing lacking,

the whole world belongs to you.

~Lao Tzu

Rain, rain, rain, and more rain

Otis and Riley are quite content to stay inside where it's dry and warm.

Setting the record straight

One of my dear blogging friends emailed me today and told me that she got a very upsetting comment on her blog (twice, actually), and when she clicked on the "Anonymous" person who sent it, it brought her to Mourning Dove Cottage and my email.

I have gotten that same disturbing comment a few days ago, although I didn't click on the "anonymous", but just deleted it right away.

Please, know, that I would never ever send anyone an offensive comment of any kind. If any of you get or have gotten an offensive comment from "Anonymous", and it comes back to Mourning Dove Cottage, it is not me.

I think it's a shame that someone can go around to our blogs and inject their horrible remarks and comments for their own sense of delight or sick humor or whatever it is their doing.

So, my dear friends.....Mourning Dove Cottage is not the culprit. I would never be unkind or try to spread bad things around or hurt any of you.

I will try to figure out how this happened and report this abuse.


Thank you for taking the time to read this.

((Hugs to you all)) ~ Donna

Little Birds

One little bird with lovely feathers blue

Sat beside another one. Then there were two.

Two little birds sitting in the tree.

Another came to join them. Then there were three.

Three little birds wishing there were more

Along came another bird. Then there were four.

Four little birds glad to be alive,

Found another lonely friend. Then there were five.

Five little birds just as happy as can be

Five little birds singing songs for you and me.

These colorful little birds are carved out of wood and hand painted. There is a magnet on the back so you can place them on a file cabinet or on your refrigerator.

Find them on my etsy shop.

Breakfast

Bagels are a big favorite at our house in the mornings for breakfast.

My oldest daughter got me hooked on the "everything" bagel with sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, and sesame seeds. Lightly toasted with cream cheese and jelly ~ yum.




I found this cranberry hot pepper jelly at A Southern Season, a few weeks ago when my sister and I had lunch together. It's so good.

Cereal with fruit and toast are always on the menu here too. Eggs or pancakes on the weekends.


What do you eat for breakfast?

Lucky

My good friend, Sherri, over at Sherri's Jubilee recently had her 450th post giveaway and I just happened to be the lucky winner. Oh, the excitement! You'll want to stop by to visit Sherri and see her lovely blog. She makes the most gorgeous jewelry, and has a wonderful etsy shop.


And this is what I won ~ all wrapped up pretty in this polka dot green paper...

A beautiful pair of earrings that she made just for me. I was able to pick my favorite color!

Thank you, Sherri! You're the sweetest. I LOVE my new earrings.

If you want to be happy, be.

Leo Tolstoy

Have a great weekend!

More is better

I couldn't help myself, I just had to have these turquoise reading glasses. They were only $1.00 at the Dollar Store. If, you're like me and you wear "readers", you don't just have one pair.


You have many, many pairs.

And still, somehow, I can never find my glasses!

A really good book

The Olive Farm, A Memoir of Life, Love, and Olive Oil in the South of France.

This book was recommended to me by one of you dear bloggers and I'm sorry but I don't remember who it was, but thank you! It's the first one in a series by author, Carol Drinkwater, and I was told to read them in this order ~ The Olive Farm, The Olive Season, The Olive Harvest, The Illustrated Olive Farm, and The Olive Route.

If you've ever read Peter Mayles, A Year in Provence, or Frances Mayes, Under the Tuscan Sun, you will enjoy this one too.

Happy reading!!

Seasonal joy

This is the time of year when the brisk cool air makes us want to stay inside and get cozy. However, when walking in the garden this morning I couldn't help notice how the sun warmed my face and the cool breeze felt invigorating. I realized how much I appreciate this season and the simple beauty of it all...

the morning dew on the geraniums,

and the blue sky reflecting in the birdbath.

The shadows from the morning sun caught my eye.

Of course, the only thing Otis and Riley are thinking about is the squirrel.

Inside, we fluff our nests,

and cozy in for the days ahead.

The seasonal beauty is all around us.

I'm back

We just spent a few days in Pennsylvania for my brother's memorial service, and even though it was an emotionally exhausting weekend, I think now we have found a peace and will carry loving memories of Steve in our hearts forever.

It was a long day travelling back home in the car, but when the sun was out, the colors of the leaves were absolutely breathtaking and it made for a beautiful day.

I'm now glad to be home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I wanted to show you my latest painting.




You know how I love geraniums, so I painted this little painting of red geraniums that were on my front porch.

4x5 acrylic on canvas

Bright and cheerful red geraniums.

Wouldn't it be nice if geraniums would last all year long?

Thank you

Thank you so much for all of your support during this difficult time. Your kind words, thoughts and prayers are a great comfort to me. Thank you for stopping by to leave a comment, I truly appreciate it.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart.

Remembering...

.....my brother

who passed away this week.

The pain passes but the beauty remains.

Missing you, Steve.

A yummy dessert

I made this apple crisp after seeing it on Sherri's blog the other day. It looked sooooo good. The recipe called for McIntosh apples but I used what I had on hand....some Granny Smith and Gala apples.

Here's the recipe:

Apple Crisp

8-10 McIntosh apples, pared and sliced

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1 stick butter

cinnamon to taste

Pare and slice apples and scatter in a pie plate. In another bowl mix all other ingredients. Sprinkle this mixture over the apples making sure all apples are covered. Cook 400 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve warm or cold.

Really easy.

Warm apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.......oh, it was sooooooo good.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

Otis and Riley and I are going for a walk. Why don't you come along.

It's an absolutely gorgeous fall day, the kind you of day that makes you want to be outside and breathe in the fresh air and warm sunshine.

Some of the leaves have started to change color.

We passed a magnolia tree on the way to the park. This is a beautiful pink magnolia bud.

Once we get to the park, Otis and Riley take off running. They love it here.

On our way home, the boys have their noses to the ground.

The leaves are so pretty.

We pass a cute little ghost...

and the most gorgeous mums (I wish mine would grow like that).

And so ends our enjoyable walk out and about the neighborhood.

Hope you're enjoying your day outside if you can.

Pumpkins

pumpkins by the barn

watercolor

I've been painting pumpkins...lots of pumpkins. They're everywhere this time of year. I love seeing them by the front door welcoming friends, or piled high in an old farm wagon, and just the site of them growing in a country field making it look like a sea of orange...beautiful.

stacked pumpkins

watercolor

pumpkin

watercolor

These pumpkins come in little prints that are perfect for framing.

They also come in note cards so you can send a little Halloween or Thanksgiving greeting to someone you love, or maybe a thank you note.

Find them all at whimsytwo.

Brrrrrrrr

Who turned down the heat?




Colder temperatures ~ and already Otis and Riley have found the warm patch of sunlight on the floor in front of my art table in the study.

I wonder how long my pretty geraniums will last in this chilly weather.

October

It's time to do a little fall/halloween decorating. I keep it simple. A wreath on the front door.

The fall flag goes up.

Did you notice my summer flowers in the window boxes are thriving, so I haven't changed them for fall and winter yet.



And, of course, a cute little pumpkin on the window sill.

Keeping it simple.

Finally........

SUN

and a much needed cup of coffee.

Otis and Riley and I enjoyed basking in the sunlight today. Of course, in between coffee breaks I also trimmed the hedge and pruned some bushes.

We also enjoyed a nice long walk.

And then some treats.

It was a great day to be outside.